Bobcat Soccer Begins 2010 Season Friday

Aug 31, 2010

MILLEDGEVILLE, Ga. – The Georgia College
& State University soccer program plans to mix in the old with
the new this season, as the Bobcats welcome new head coach Hope
Clark to take the helm. Back are eight starters from a
team that finished third in the Peach Belt Conference (PBC),
including four former All-PBC selections.

“This is one of the deeper teams I’ve ever
coached,” admits Clark. “And that has me excited about
our options against different lineups. Our fitness as always is
key. Once we’ve got that down, we’ll know where we
stand.”

Stifling defense has been the hallmark of the Bobcat soccer team
for the last few seasons, and this year’s squad preview
starts with defense as well.

GOALKEEPERS

The first All-American in program history, Mary
Rob Plunkett (Augusta, Ga.) returns for her senior
season. She allowed just a 0.59 GAA a year ago, adding in a .896
save percentage. Plunkett has twice been named all-conference, and
is a “talented keeper with impressive size” according
to Clark.

Freshman Taylor
Mulryan (Cumming, Ga.) redshirted an injury-riddled
2009, but did see limited action. “Taylor is hungry and
extremely coachable. Her athleticism will allow her to challenge
Plunkett, advancing the success of our goalkeepers.”

DEFENDERS

Two All-PBC backs return to anchor the defensive line. Senior
Jessica Binkowski (Cumming, Ga.) and
junior Tawny Moffat (Peachtree City, Ga.) both
know what it takes to be successful in Division II soccer. A
two-time all-conference choice, Binkowski provides “great
senior leadership” with “exceptional speed that allows
her to help the attack.”

Moffat is a “surprising player” according to Clark.
She’s a battler that is “composed on the ball”
and strong in the air.

Another starter back to the defense is sophomore Becky
Knoll (Elk Grove, Ill.) after seeing 15 starts in
2009. “Becky is a dynamic center back. She’s my General
out there, with great communication and organization to our
defense.”

Another starter back is sophomore Jamie
Colcord (Marietta, Ga.) who spent time as both a
defensive-mid and at back. She is “strong and physical,
getting into the attack very well”. Colcord netted the
game-winner in the 2-1 overtime match with Barry University.

Sophomore Haley
O’Hayer (Savannah, Ga.) is a top-notch utility
player for coach Clark, as she can excel at multiple positions both
in back and on the front line. O’Hayer utilizes her hard
work, fitness and speed to her advantage. Senior Kayla
Emerson (Fayetteville, Ga.) is in for another utility
role, and could see time on all three lines. She has good speed and
is well skilled.

Sophomore Amanda
Veillon (Lilburn, Ga.) will be a contributor at
outside back or a defensive center mid, and brings a great grade
school pedigree from Parkview High.

Slotted for time at center back, outside back or defensive mid,
freshman Anna Barrow (St. Simons, Ga.) is a
composed player that “needs growth tactically”.
Classmate Sarah Yoder (Woodstock, Ga.)
“needs experience playing at the faster pace, but is a solid
defender with good 1v1 skills.

MIDFIELDERS

Two-time all-conference pick Ally
Treat (Fayetteville, Ga.) is quite possibly the top
midfielder in the PBC, a “steadfast and composed”
competitor who is “dominant in the air”. She’s
not afraid to pull the trigger to help the offense, as the
midfielder tallied a goal and four assists a year ago.

Junior Karen Bonilla (Manassas, Va.) is one of
the top players on the team, according to Clark. Savvy and creative
with the ball, Bonilla helps out on both sides with her vision and
ability to “hit the switch”.

Freshman Taylor Yee (Alpharetta, Ga.) is an
outstanding freshman making a mark on her coach in the early
preseason with her skill. Yee is a “fighter, with excellent
vision and passing precision”. Rookie Brittaney Borror (Evans, Ga.) can
“hammer the ball, and also is technically sound” and
will make an impact this season if she can work better off the ball
and on defense.

Now in her second season as a Bobcat, Olivia
Holden (Fishers, Ind.) is a well-skilled offensive
midfielder with good 1v1 ability and fluidity on the ball. Junior
Leah Frazer (Mississauga, Ontario) is a strong
1v1 defender, and is “a sound and composed player”.

Senior Kelli McLane (Lawrenceville, Ga.)
continues to battle back from injuries that kept her out of all but
five games in 2009, and Clark is hoping to use her “vision
and skill as well as her creativity” in the attack.

Also a member of the Bobcat tennis team, sophomore Michelle Lingner (Dunwoody, Ga.) joins the
soccer squad for the 2010 season. A “versatile player with
good skills”, Lingner hopes to shake off the rust of a year
off of competitive soccer with her high work rate.

FORWARDS

Junior Megan McAlpin (Newnan, Ga.) returns
after leading the 2009 squad with five goals and six assists.
McAlpin was the offensive catalyst for the Bobcats and she
“has a never quit attitude, continually working hard for her
teammates”. Sophomore Anna
Wierzbicki (Newnan, Ga.) had a pair of goals and two
assists in her freshman season, and is a talented “ball
control player with solid 1v1 vision and good work at the point of
attack”. The sophomore will work on getting on frame at the
final attack.

Senior Jessica
Newland (Hiram, Ga.) will look to contribute with her
experience and leadership qualities. The senior has four goals and
three assists in her career.

Freshman Alex
Knight (Loganville, Ga.) is quite possibly the most
talented 1v1 offensive player on the team, “very creative and
flashy”. Another rookie, Allie
Schechner (Wading River, N.Y.) will make a late-game
impact with her strength and power.

Freshman Stephanie Andino (Johns Creek, Ga.) has been
“one of the best surprises” of the preseason. With
“fantastic touch and composed attitude in the final
third”, Andino will battle for a starting spot. Rookie
Katie Taylor (Sharpsburg, Ga.) is a
“bright player with good 1v1 skills and a high
workrate”.

The Bobcats struggled to score at times in the 2009 season,
leading to 14 total overtime periods and a 1.02 goals scored
average. Clark plans to address the scoring punch in 2010.

“The build-up is there, we need to work on playing quicker
and not holding the ball as much,” she said. “We need
impact players, not role players. Previously this team was
interested in what was safe. We need to take risks and go to the
goal. We have new players that are going to make an immediate
impact, as well as returners that have already stepped up their
game.”

Bobcat soccer kicks off the regular season Friday, Sept. 3 at
noon facing Florida Southern College at the Little Feet South
Florida Shootout in Boca Raton, Fla. Live stats are available at www.GCSUBobcats.com .

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